Psychotherapy is a process that helps people change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors towards known stressors. It can be used to treat mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychotherapy can also be used to help manage chronic pain, substance abuse, and relationship issues.

Psychotherapy usually involves meeting with a professional on a regular basis to talk about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. Your provider will work with you to identify your goals for treatment and help you make positive changes in your life.

Fitness and nutritional counseling is a process whereby a trained professional helps individuals to better understand their relationship with food and exercise and provides guidance on making lifestyle changes that will improve overall health and wellness. Fitness counselors may also offer guidance on goal setting, weight management, and healthy eating habits.

Fitness and nutritional counseling can be beneficial for people of all ages and levels of fitness. Importantly, it can improve both mental and physical health.

Mindfulness practice is the act of paying attention to the present moment with an open, curious, and accepting attitude. Mindfulness can be applied to any experience, whether it’s the seemingly mundane tasks of daily life or more challenging experiences such as complex emotions.

Mindfulness has many benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety and improved mood and overall well-being.

Alternative mind/body/spirit therapy is based on the belief that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected and that by working on one aspect, we can affect the others.

Alternative mind/body/spirit therapies encompass a wide range of practices and approaches to promote physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. These therapies may include practices such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and massage therapy.

Adult and geriatric psychiatry is a branch of psychiatry that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders in adults and older adults. These disorders can include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, and psychotic disorders.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are currently more than 4 million adults over the age of 65 who have some form of mental illness. Adult and geriatric psychiatrists play an important role in helping older adults live full and productive lives.

A provider needs to have a comprehensive understanding of the medical, psychological, and biosocioeconomic factors contributing to a particular mental health issue in the geriatric populations before considering pharmacotherapy.
The treatment should primarily focus on the root causes of the mental health issue. If the non-pharmacological approach fails to provide adequate relief, pharmacotherapy may be considered.

Too often mental health professionals prescribe one medication after another without diligently evaluating the triggering factors contributing to mental health issues. They may also fail to collaborate with the PCP or the other providers. This approach may increase risk for polypharmacy. Polypharmacy, a simultaneous use of multiple medicines by a patient for his/her conditions, increases risk for adverse drug events, increased hospital readmissions and even increased mortality.

It is important to routinely evaluate the continued clinical need for pharmacological treatment as many commonly prescribed psychotropic medications are indicated only for short-term use due to numerous potential side effects of long term use and limited clinical efficacy. There is no such thing as a perfectly safe pharmacological treatment for elderly.

Promethean Behavioral Health specializes in geropsychiatry by offering the following services customized to each individual client:

• Holístic approach incorporating the body, the mind, and the spirit
• Non-pharmacological review of varied mental health conditions
• Comprehensive medical review, including co-morbid conditions, labs, and diagnostics that may contribute to a mental health issue
• Collaboration with other healthcare providers
• Judicious use of pharmacotherapy if indicated
• Quarterly comprehensive medication review to assess for clinical need, medication adjustment, and gradual dose reduction if indicated
• Staff and family education related to psychotropic medications and non-pharmacological management of varied mental health conditions

Please inquire about in-person visits for geriatric patients at assisted living facilities, board and care homes, and private homes in the greater Los Angeles area.

Psychiatric oncology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the mental and emotional health of cancer patients. Promethean Behavioral Health is proud to offer this specialized care to our clients. Our team is skilled in providing support to cancer patients and their families. We understand the unique mental health challenges associated with living with cancer, and we are here to help. Our services include counseling, stress management, and more. We will provide the care and support you need to get through this difficult time.